IEA PVPS certifies that floating PV systems have small carbon footprint
Floating systems cause slightly more CO2 emissions than land-based solar systems, mainly because of the additional components for the structure. But overall, they also perform very well from a climate perspective.
Can the grid cope with the surge in electricity demand?
The grid needs to modernize to meet a booming demand for electricity, which is only predicted to grow even further in coming years. IEC Standards are key to help with the transition.
Sunrise brief: U.S. Bureau of Land Management advances over 6 GW of solar projects
Also on the rise: U.S. clean energy tax credit market to reach $25 billion in 2024. Six states offer grants to help local governments automate solar permitting. And more.
MIT scientists optimize perovskite solar cell components
Researchers at MIT have enhanced the stability of Spiro-MeOTAD in perovskite solar cells, achieving over 1,400 hours of high-temperature testing with minimal degradation in a lower efficiency cell.
U.S. engineers develop ChatGPT algorithm to design solar cells
OptoGPT is a new algorithm that harnesses the computer architecture underpinning ChatGPT. Its creators say that it will enable researchers and engineers to design optical multilayer film structures for a wide range of applications, including solar cells.
Perovskite-CIGS tandem solar cells have technical potential to achieve 26.69% efficiency
A Dutch and U.S. research team performed optical and electrical simulations to understand loss mechanisms in two terminal (2T) tandem cells based on perovskite and commercially available copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) cells, and subsequently established a roadmap to increase efficiency via four key modifications.
New model to identify optimal power sizing ratio for solar inverters
Researchers in Malaysia have proposed a new approach to identify the optimal power sizing ratio to balance PV energy capture with inverter costs. The calibrated model is said to accurately reflect the relationship between inverter efficiency and real-world system behavior.
New design for antimony trisulfide solar cells promises 30% higher efficiency
An international research team has proposed a series of optimization techniques for antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) solar cells that may reportedly increase the efficiency of these PV devices to over 11%. The resulting new cell design is said to significantly improve band alignment control and parameter optimization.
Sunrise brief: First Solar commissions 1.3 million square-foot R&D facility
Also on the rise: North American solar power purchase agreements rise 3% in Q2 Intersect Power closes $837 million in financing for three Tesla battery systems in Texas. And more.
First Solar commissions 1.3 million square-foot R&D facility
The Jim Nolan Center for Solar Innovation in Lake Township, Ohio includes a high-tech pilot manufacturing line allowing for the production of full-sized prototypes of thin film and tandem PV modules.
